Observations focused on the problems of an underdeveloped country, Venezuela, with some serendipity about the world (orchids, techs, science, investments, politics) at large. A famous Venezuelan, Juan Pablo Perez Alfonzo, referred to oil as the devil's excrement. For countries, easy wealth appears indeed to be the sure path to failure. Venezuela might be a clear example of that.

Archive for June 11th, 2005

If you want to assume a high official position you have to be able to
answer these ten questions according to the official line, just in case
a reporter should ask you. That is, you have to be able to lie through yout
teeth.

–Why was
it illegal for Sumate to receive $30,000 from the National Endowment for Democracy
but not for Chavez’s presidential campaign to receive US$ 1.5 million from
Spanish Bank BBVA?

–Why have
they charged a couple of hundred people for rebellion for going to the
Presidential Palace on April 12th. 2002 and not charged General
Lucas Rincon for announcing to the country that the President had resigned?

–Why is
poverty up in Venezuela
since Chavez took power seven years ago?

–Why is
children malnutrition up since Chavez took over seven years ago?

–If oil
production is at normal levels, how come oil GDP is going down despite higher prices?

–Why isn’t
anyone in jail for corruption since Chavez took over seven years ago?

–Where
are the US$ 3 billion missing from the Macroeconomic Stabilization Fund?

–Why has
this Government been unable to build as many houses in any of the past six years, as the previous Governments
were able to in any given year?